Councilman questions fire union over fundraising letter

John Pirro

Updated 4:54 pm, Saturday, May 31, 2014

DANBURY -- A fundraising letter sent recently to thousands of city residents on behalf of the Danbury fire fightersunion has drawn the ire of Councilman Warren Levy, who said it implies the city fails to provide first responders with the resources they need to do their jobs.

Levy also said the tone of the letter, part of Local 801's annual Community Benefit Campaign, suggests there "could be ramifications" if recipients don't contribute.

"I think the general public feels a little under duress when they get these letters from fire and police organizations," Levy said. "It's kind of misleading."

"If someone doesn't donate, we don't go pound on their door," DeMici said. "We understand the economy, and we know that some people just can't afford to give money sometimes. Warren Levy doesn't know what he's talking about and he should check his facts with the state of Connecticut."

Levy was particularly irked by a passage in the letter saying donations would stay in Danbury, "aiding the men and women of our local fire departments and ensuring adequate staffing and equipment are maintained."

That language implies that firefighters aren't getting sufficient support from the city to properly perform their jobs, Levy said.

In truth, he added, Danbury firefighters are given "the finest equipment and training available. They are not being shortchanged by the city."

But DeMici said the solicitation makes no such implication.

"We're registered with the state of Connecticut and there is nothing illegal about this, and we don't imply this money goes toward equipment and training," he said.

The union passes some of the money it receives to charities such as the Connecticut Burn Foundation, uses some to provide college scholarships for children of members, and spends some for exercise equipment not covered by the city budget, DeMici said.

Tax returns filed by the union with the Internal Revenue Service, which are open to the public because the union is a non-profit organization, show that the Community Benefits Campaign took in almost $42,000 in 2012, the last year for which information is available.

Overall, the union operated at a $28,560 deficit in 2012, reporting revenues of just under $151,100, with about two-thirds of that amount coming from members' dues, and expenses of $179,654.

Among the listed expenses were $3,000 in scholarships and about $1,000 in donations to various charities.